About Sexual Abuse

What is Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is a crime. Child sexual abuse is when an adult or someone older than the child uses his or her authority or power over the child, or takes advantage of the child’s trust and respect, to involve the child in sexual activity. These activities are both physical and non-physical.

Physical activity includes:

Touching children’s genitals or private parts for sexual pleasure

Encouraging or making a child touch their genitals, engage in sexual games which could include penetration.

Non-physical activity include:

Exposing an adult’s genitals to a child

Encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts

Photographing a child in sexual positions

Showing pornography to a child

Inappropriately watching a child undress or use the bathroom

Sexual Abuse Indicators

Often children will act out through their behaviours rather than telling us that something is upsetting them. Being aware of the changes in their behaviour is the first step to acknowledging that the child needs help and it’s time to seek advice.

Tips for Reporting

The child’s name, address, age, family circumstances and language

Your reason for suspecting that the child has been sexually abused

Whether the family and/or perpetrator is aware of the report (if the non-offending parent(s) knows of the alleged abuse, whether any action has been taken to protect the child); and

Any other information you consider relevant

The more information that you can provide, the greater the likelihood of an effective investigation.

If anyone is requiring immediate emergency services please call 000.

If you know of or suspect a child who may be experiencing any form of sexual abuse please contact your local DHS Child Protection Services.

Child Protection Contacts

After hours 13 12 78

During business hours ring the number covering the local government area (LGA) where the child lives.